The Teeth of the Tiger · Character

M. Desmalions

The Prefect of Police, M. Desmalions is a pragmatic and skeptical official who must weigh Don Luis Perenna's extraordinary claims against the rigid demands of the law.

supporting

Also known as Desmalions, Monsieur Desmalions

First appearance: I: d’Artagnan, Porthos… and Monte Cristo

As a supporting figure in The Teeth of the Tiger, M. Desmalions is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Prefect of Police who reads the will and codicil, and oversees the verification of Don Luis's identity.

In the storyI: d’Artagnan, Porthos… and Monte CristoOpen this moment free

See M. Desmalions in I: d’Artagnan, Porthos… and Monte Cristo Book page

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He operates at the highest level of the French justice system, responsible for the investigation into the Mornington murders and the safety of Paris. Though he respects Perenna's intellect, he is wary of his methods and the public's growing suspicion that his ally is the notorious Arsène Lupin. His decision to place Perenna under surveillance shows a man torn between using a valuable asset and containing a potential threat, making him a crucial gatekeeper in the official inquiry.

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See M. Desmalions in I: d’Artagnan, Porthos… and Monte Cristo

Character Web

27 connections

A slice of how M. Desmalions sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Central Mystery Characters
Supporting Cast & Family
Protagonist

+22 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Don Luis Perenna undergoes a psychological peak of absolute contro…

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Relationships

Don Luis Perenna
professional · positive
Sergeant Mazeroux
professional · positive
Hippolyte Fauville
professional · ambivalent
Florence Levasseur
social · ambivalent
Cosmo Mornington
professional · positive
Don Luis Perenna
professional · positive
Don Luis Perenna
professional · positive
Sergeant Mazeroux
professional · positive
Florence Levasseur
social · ambivalent
Hippolyte Fauville
professional · ambivalent
Cosmo Mornington
professional · positive
Sergeant Mazeroux
professional · positive

Don Luis Perenna
M. Desmalions, the Prefect of Police, works with Don Luis as a trusted consultant on criminal cases.
Sergeant Mazeroux
Desmalions is Mazeroux's superior, relying on him for police work and intelligence.
Hippolyte Fauville
Fauville was a scientist who had dealings with the police before his murder.
Florence Levasseur
Florence interacts with Desmalions as a person of interest in the police investigation.
Cosmo Mornington
Cosmo Mornington is a wealthy American who collaborates with Desmalions on legal and financial matters.
Don Luis Perenna
M. Desmalions, the Prefect of Police, works with Don Luis as a trusted consultant on criminal cases.
Don Luis Perenna
M. Desmalions, the Prefect of Police, works with Don Luis as a trusted consultant on criminal cases.
Sergeant Mazeroux
Desmalions is Mazeroux's superior, relying on him for police work and intelligence.
Florence Levasseur
Florence interacts with Desmalions as a person of interest in the police investigation.
Hippolyte Fauville
Fauville was a scientist who had dealings with the police before his murder.
Cosmo Mornington
Cosmo Mornington is a wealthy American who collaborates with Desmalions on legal and financial matters.
Sergeant Mazeroux
Desmalions is Mazeroux's superior, relying on him for police work and intelligence.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See M. Desmalions in I: d’Artagnan, Porthos… and Monte Cristo

In the story

M. Desmalions appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: d’Artagnan, Porthos… and Monte Cristo
Prefect of Police who reads the will and codicil, and oversees the verification of Don Luis's identity.
A Man Dead
Prefect of Police; discusses the case with Perenna and reveals Inspector Vérot's strange behavior.
A Man Doomed
Mentioned as the Prefect of Police who takes immense interest in the case.
IV: The Clouded Turquoise
Prefect of Police leading the investigation; conducts a rigorous cross-examination of Perenna and Mme. Fauville.
The Man with the Ebony Walking-Stick
Visits Perenna, presents the anonymous letter and the walking-stick evidence, but decides to overlook it and offers Perenna a working alliance.
VIII: The Devil's Post-Office
Prefect of Police who personally attends the vigil on the night of May 5 and May 15 to witness the delivery of the mysterious letters.
XIII: The Explosion
Prefect of Police who initially hesitates but ultimately orders the evacuation of the house moments before the explosion.
XIV: The "Hater"
The Prefect of Police who initially resists Perenna's theory but is ultimately convinced upon reading Fauville's confession.
XV: The Heir to the Hundred Millions
Presides over the meeting and reads the letter claiming a new heir; observes Perenna closely.
XVI: Weber Takes His Revenge
Presides over the meeting, questions Florence, orders her arrest.
XVII: Open Sesame!
Prefect of Police present during the negotiation with Valenglay.
Arsène I Emperor of Mauretania
Prefect of Police present during the revelation and negotiation.
Lupin's Lupins
Prefect of Police who discusses Perenna's punctuality and receives updates from Angers and Le Mans.

Chapter companion notes

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See M. Desmalions in I: d’Artagnan, Porthos… and Monte Cristo